The Criminal Investigation Department has arrested and formally charged Javier Cleveland “Ja” Bailey, a Jamaican national, with capital murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Krishawn Biscombe in La Clery, Castries.
According to police, the deadly incident occurred on Monday, January 19, 2026, when Biscombe sustained gunshot injuries and later succumbed to those injuries.
Providing an update on the investigation, WSPC Zane Romulus confirmed that the Major Crimes Unit has made significant progress in the case.
“The Major Crimes Unit has made a breakthrough in its investigation into the homicide of 27-year-old Cresean Biscombe, who was shot and killed on Monday, 19 January 2026, at La Clery, Castries,” Romulus said.
“On Saturday, 24 January 2026, Javier Cleveland Bailey, also known as J.A., a Jamaican national, was arrested in connection with this matter. He was formally charged on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, with the offence of capital murder.”
Romulus added that Bailey appeared before the First District Court on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, where he was remanded in custody. She also disclosed that investigations remain ongoing.
“Another suspect was arrested on Monday, 26 January 2026, and remains in police custody assisting with investigations,” she stated. “Investigations into this matter continue as the Major Crimes Unit works to identify other assailants.”
Under section 86(1)(d)(ii) of the Saint Lucia Criminal Code, murder committed in the course of burglary or housebreaking constitutes capital murder.
The law further provides at subsection (4) that: “A person convicted of capital murder under subsection (1), may, on conviction on indictment, be sentenced to death.”
However, the court is required to allow the convicted person an opportunity to plead in mitigation, taking into account factors including the gravity and nature of the offence, the character and record of the offender, any subjective factors influencing the conduct, the manner in which the offence was carried out, and the possibility of reform and social re-adaptation.
The law also grants, at subsection (7), the victim’s family the opportunity to address the court during sentencing: “At the hearing for sentencing, the family of the victim shall be given an opportunity to address the Court on any matter connected with the offence.”
In a separate matter, police also provided an update on the homicide of thirteen-year-old Melchizedek Gilbert Tixcy of Blanchard, Desruisseaux, who was shot and killed on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Superintendent Stephen Victorin, Superintendent in charge of the Southern Division, outlined developments in that investigation.
“On 8th August 2024, Markaley Simeon of Blanchard, Desruisseaux was arrested and charged with the offence of murder committed on Melchizedek Gilbert Tixcy,” Victorin said.
He explained that Simeon was later presented before the Second District Court in Vieux Fort for arraignment and was remanded at the Bordelais Correctional Facility.
Victorin also confirmed the arrest of a second suspect who had fled the jurisdiction following the incident.
“A second male suspect, Merkyle Cooper, a 20-year-old male of Desruisseaux, Micoud, who had fled the state after the incident, was recently apprehended on the island of Dominica for possession of controlled drugs,” he stated.
“Through inter-agency cooperation, Cooper has been in local police custody since Thursday, 22nd January 2026.”
According to Victorin, Cooper was charged on Monday, January 25, 2026, with the murder of Melchizedek Gilbert Tixcy and was arraigned before the Second District Court the following day, where he was also remanded in custody at the Bordelais Correctional Facility.
Police say investigations into both matters remain active as efforts continue to bring all those responsible before the courts.